M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[focus206]

This doesn't look good. But, with such drivers, what can one expect?
https://x.com/DirtFishRally/status/1939347945289036270

Although this time Munster was doing reasonably good, but had to retire for technical problems.

[macebig]

M-Sport need to rethink the Puma program. It's pointless to go through 2025 and 2026 like that. They need to sit down with Ford and Red Bull and clear things up. Either they get the budget for at least one competitive entry or they should call it a day and focus on Rally 2 or the new car from 2027 if Ford wants to keep going. It's not like they don't have a ton of programmes lined up. They have Dakar, the Mustang GT3 and remains to be seen if M-Sport is involved in the LMDh effort. Driving around aimlessly ain't helping anyone.

[Sulland]

They need to spend some money to get a good driver for a rally or two, to prove to Ford and sponsors that one driver on a salary is needed to improve the car and the junior drivers. Now the drivers are simply not good enough!!

[Managarium]

What money?
M-Sport is largely financed by selling lower categories cars.
How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC and ERC events?
Rally3 is better for them because there is not much of other manufacturers competition, but in Rally4 is nowadays a very big competition.

[Managarium]

What money?
M-Sport is largely financed by selling lower categories cars.
How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC, ERC and national events?
Rally3 is better for them because there is not much of other manufacturers competition, but in Rally4 is nowadays a very big competition.

[Sulland]

What money?
M-Sport is largely financed by selling lower categories cars.
How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC, ERC and national events?
Rally3 is better for them because there is not much of other manufacturers competition, but in Rally4 is nowadays a very big competition.

I agree.

But selling cars comes from results. If you have only talents, and not a few drivers that has proven themselves, and can help in development, you stay where you are, or could move in the wrong direction. But I agree, MSport is in a catch 22 situation right now.

[PLuto]

How many Rally2 Fiestas have you seen in last couple of years in WRC, ERC and national events?

Problem is that they were not so much interested in development Rally2 Fiesta. Biggest issue of this car was engine, which was very weak from beginning. Everybody knew it from beginning, but M-Sport didnt made any important improvement, so lot of teams moved to different brand. And to say the truth, brexit also didnt helped...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

M-Sport had to prioritise their limited budget. They had to build and develop the new Puma Rally1 car and employ some top drivers like Loeb, Breen and Tanak.

Its obvious that they couldn't spend a lot on the Rally2 Fiesta too, although they did some upgrades and Fourmaux did well in it in 2023.

Since then the Fiesta has discontinued by Ford so it made little sense to throw more money at it as a rally car.

[PLuto]

M-Sport had to prioritise their limited budget. They had to build and develop the new Puma Rally1 car and employ some top drivers like Loeb, Breen and Tanak.

Its obvious that they couldn't spend a lot on the Rally2 Fiesta too, although they did some upgrades and Fourmaux did well in it in 2023.

Since then the Fiesta has discontinued by Ford so it made little sense to throw more money at it as a rally car.

Only excuses. If they are living from selling cars to private customers, they should concentrate to Rally2 category. Their car is not bad, it had perfect chassis and suspension, but engine was biggest problem. They were promising to their customers this disadvantage will be "corrected", but nothing happened, so everybody left. And new customers were not interested in buying the car...

[Gordini]

Maybe give Solberg a ring to see if he would drive a rally or two for them ?

He has driven the best, so he could guide.